North Korea Autumn

Since 2002 FarRail Tours has been able to offer a series of highly rated North Korea itineraries, all tailor made and dedicated to railway enthusiasts around the globe. Getting authentic steam trains into action in what is arguably the world's most challenging destination for tourists and tour operators alike, represents no mean feat.

As such we have taken considerable pride in the fact that we have been able to offer consistently reliable itineraries and train operations, which typically offered much more than advertised, and, according to our clients, certainly more than any other tour operator.

It is therefore with utmost regret that we now have to acknowledge the fact that the most recent behavior of the North Korean authorities has once again become, diplomatically speaking, rather 'idiosyncratic'. This has led to the situation of FarRail Tours being unable to guarantee the delivery of the announced itinerary. This does not only include the scrapping of booked steam engines and the dismantling of whole railway lines (such issues we have managed to work around with our onshore partners), but most recently, the cancellation of the Arirang Festival (one point from our itinerary) and uncertainties regarding the visa situation for US citizens.

These circumstances have therefore forced us to cancel the proposed itinerary.

While we wish to apologize for this unfortunate development, which, of course is beyond our scope of influence, FarRail Tours remains, beyond doubt, committed to providing our American friends with first-hand insights into North Korea, hopefully in the not too distant future.

North Korea has a unique political system and it is always hard to arrange trips to that country. After several successful railway trips into the DPRK our partners in Pyongyang know how to satisfy railway enthusiasts. They'll do everything to make another successful trip. Steam in Korea is running on its very last legs so do not wait until the last locomotive has gone, or until a politician decides to block any further travel into this fascinating and unique country.

The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea) is almost off limits to foreign visitors. During earlier stays we met with North Korean officials to discuss a number of tour proposals for railway enthusiasts, which ultimately led to the several successful trips FarRail Tours offered over the last four years. While the very fact that the authorities agreed to foreign visitors exploring parts of the national railways, which are perceived as an installation of military significance, is remarkable, we even managed to include one of the numerous, and hitherto totally unknown, industrial narrow gauge railways in our itinerary as well as lines in areas which have been closed to westerners for more than three decades.

Our new itinerary covers lines that were not part of any other programme before. Because the North Koreans scrapped our standard gauge steam locos which have been reserved for our special trains, we laid the focus on the well know Russian class M62. The tour is designed for the dedicated railway enthusiast, as well as for people who have a general interest in the country. To complete the feeling of a surprisingly different political system we'll show you the place where the Great Leader, Kim Il Sung was born and the mausoleum were he is presented to the public now.

Please be assured that you can expect absolutely first class pictures with professional managed authentic trains. The Koreans know what we want and they will do their very best to make this extraordinary event come true. Our unique tour will give you outstanding value for money.

Itinerary

Date

Itinerary

19.09.

Departure from Europe to Beijing

20.09.

Morning arrival in Beijing, visit to the railway museum, hotel for having a shower, at 17.30 hrs we'll board the overnight train K27 to Pyongyang

21.09.

Morning arrival at the border to North Korea, 09.35 hrs continue by international train K 27 to Pyongyang, arrival 19.30 hrs. Reception in Pyongyang and dinner in the five star Yanggakdo hotel

22.09.

We start the unique experience with one of the most holy places of the country: the mausoleum of Kim Il Sung (Kumsusan Memorial Palace). Hereafter we'll ride with the former Swiss trams (metre gauge) and take pictures of them. This visit depends on the opening days of the mausoleum. Just in case we have planned another activity. After lunch we continue by charter bus to Kujang. Charter train Kujang - Muksi with a Russian M62 diesel locomotive on a very scenic, not electrified line. Evening return to Pyongyang. Here we'll meet the American group.

23.09.

Morning charter train with one of the Russian class M62 diesels to Nampho, including some photo stops along the line, early afternoon return to Pyongyang by charter bus, afternoon visit to the East European Tramways on Kwangbok Street (standard gauge), evening visit to the Arirang Festival, the famous and spectacular mass pageants, hotel Pyongyang

24.09.

In the morning visit to the Mansu Hill (with a huge statue of the "Great Leader", Kim Il Sung), visit to the Pyongyang Metro, including a ride on a public Metro train (to some stations, entire line is not permitted), later visit to the birth place of Kim Il Sung in Mansudae (very close to Pyongyang), in the early afternoon we'll go by charter bus to Cholgwang to take a charter steam freight train on the narrow gauge railway (Japanese-built steam loco), evening return to Pyongyang, hotel Pyongyang

25.09.

Morning visit to the square in front of the railway station with several trolleybus and tram lines. 10.10 am departure by daylight international express across North Korea to the Chinese border at Sunujiu/Dandong, and onward to Shenyang (for China steam extension) or back to Beijing

26.09.

09.35 am arrival in Beijing, visit to the Great Wall, four star hotel Beijing

27.09.

Return flight to Europe or China steam extension

Description of trains and routes

The narrow gauge in Cholgwang was always out of bounds until April 2005. Only the station area was permitted. After several long nights with the authorities we now can go over some four kilometres of the railway. Several parts of this section are allowed for unlimited photo stops and runpasts. In the station itself you'll find many good photo positions. The line runs through a spectacular countryside and after some four kilometres you can get the sea in the background. Light for this position is best in the late afternoon. The line to the ore mine is about 2.5 km long, and a Hu Kishi 2-8-0 locomotive once provided the power for shipments of minerals from the nearby mines to the port, which unfortunately cannot be visited. Our charter train consists of three or four authentic rusty wagons. The line is out of use, so our travel may be restricted by track conditions.

The line between Pyongyang and Nampho is electrified. Nampho is the harbour city for Pyongyang, connected by railway and a ten lane wide motorway, which is almost empty. We'll make at least two stops on the line for taking pictures and filming. There are more opportunities available for records of our train in the stations.

Kujang to Muksi is only a few kilometres. Anyhow, the line is very beautiful and offers plenty of possibilities. Five line shots are permitted, including a long, flat bridge over a river. The line is not electrified. As it is a branch line which hardly sees any traffic we'll have all the time we need for our photo stops. The line heads to the west, so we arranged the visit in the afternoon for perfect light conditions. This line was never visited before by westerners as it is in a restricted area.

Our visit to the capital city of Pyongyang includes a tour on the world-famous metro system. The Pyongyang Metro is reportedly the deepest in the world, more than 150 m below the surface, and as such part of a huge underground system into which the two million people of the capital could be evacuated in case of an attack on the DPRK. The design of some of the stations is breathtaking, thanks to the lavish use of marble, chandeliers, impressive sculptures, carvings, mosaics and other murals. Many of the latter depict the founder of the country, president Kim Il Sung. The names of the stations like "Torch", "Glory" or "Liberation" surely sound exotic to western ears.

Another important part of the mass transit system are the Pyongyang tramways. The cars originate from formerly befriended countries of the European socialist block. A special ride through the grand city of Pyongyang with its monumental socialist architecture and beautiful parks will be a part of our itinerary.

From the city to the mausoleum of Kim Il Sung they built a short metre gauge tram line which is operated by former Zurich trams. If the Kumsusan Memorial Palace is open to visitors, this line will be operated in the morning from about 9 am. A visit to the tram depot was never permitted, so we have to keep our fingers crossed that the mausoleum is open.

Our trip to Beijing will be by international train, surely an opportunity for priceless observations of this rarely visited country. In Sinuiju, North Korea, steam locomotives were spotted during trips in the last two years. These are used for branch line and shunting services. Other than that, various types of the locally-built electric "Red Banner"-class as well as several diesels of the Chinese DF4-types or Soviet-made M62 "Taiga Drums" can be seen.

The visit to the Kumsusan Memorial Palace (mausoleum of Kim Il Sung) is a very special experience. The required dress code is a suit plus tie for gents and appropriate clothes for ladies. Due to unpredictable maintenance work at the mausoleum this visit is subject to cancellation on short advance notice.

New Years Eve postcard Juche 89 (= year 2000)

... and the reality: Worker's Party Memorial in Pyongyang

Miscellaneous

The North Korean authorities will check your identity very careful. For obtaining the visa we have to give several personal dates and details including employer and profession. Please expect that they'll call your employer and ask whether you have given the correct information about your position. Journalists are not allowed. North Korea is very sensitive regarding information that is published. So please note that all film and video records are for private use only. If you wish to publish reports about this trip, please contact us in advance. We'll find a solution that will not harm our partners in Pyongyang (you would risk that our partners who arranged the trip will at least loose their jobs  at least!). Please be honest when you state your occupation. They will find out and may cancel the full trip in case of untrue statements.

The North Koreans will monitor us during the trip. If you want to make a photograph or a video outside the permitted places, please ask in advance. This is simply to avoid trouble. On train rides we'll try to maximise the results (photo & video). Sometimes it is somewhat difficult to go beyond the agreed and permitted arrangements.

Charter buses and trains represent the standard of our host countries, which may deviate from American and European expectations. While we will try to avoid long walks, some photo positions may require a bit of an extra effort. The itinerary is designed especially for photographers and video filmmakers.

Temperatures are expected to be in the range of plus 5 to 20 degrees Centigrade (40 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit). The autumn season is often dry and sunny and a beautiful time of year for travel.

The hotel in Pyongyang is a five star hotel. Please be prepared however, that food isn't available in unlimited quantities like it is in China. Full board is included, but lunches will sometimes be simple, not to say "basic", especially during special train rides, while dinners are usually good. Alcoholic beverages are not included in the tour price, but are usually available including good beer.

Please note, mobile phones are not allowed in North Korea. You have to hand over your mobile phone to officials and will get it back on the last day of our tour. Laptops are allowed. Voltage is 220 V, 50 Hz in both countries, North Korea and China. An adapter for the outlet is necessary. In the DPR Korea it is not guaranteed that the voltage will be sufficient to recharge batteries in the time normally needed. Please be prepared and consider taking extra batteries.

Further information about special conditions in North Korea is supplied on request.

Registration period ends July 30th, 2006.

Price

North Korea Autumn

10 to 40 participants

2.790 Euro

19.09. - 27.09.2006

Single room surcharge

482 Euro

Single rooms are not available on the overnight trains.
Land Only: Please deduct 605 Euro from the tour price.

Minimum number of participants is 10. The maximum number of participants is capped at 40.